MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

The soybean industry has been subject to a lot of obstacles over the last year with tariffs, South America, and policy, but there are some good things coming. Scott Metzger, the President of the American Soybean Association, shares some of the biggest worries they have on Capitol Hill, and why farmers should be optimistic with lots of new crush plants coming online. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The DeLong Company recently expanded with an 800,000-bushel capacity and technological upgrades, allowing vessels to reach markets in Europe faster than ever before. General Manager Doug Kloepping tells Stephanie Hoff that increasing maritime efficiency is a rising tide for the local economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tool that dairy farmers have relied on for decades is changing. At the Professional Dairy Producers Business Conference, March 4-5 in Madison, Tom Zwald is going to talk about how to navigate a major industry shift -- the disappearance of BMR corn. BMR corn, or brown midrib corn, is a variety of corn for silage. Tom tells Stephanie Hoff that his family farm, Bomaz Farms in Hammond, has found hig...

The humble potato is getting a makeover as culinary experts work to move the vegetable from a simple side dish to the center of the plate.  At the "Spud Lab" in Denver, RJ Harvey, Culinary Director for Potatoes USA, is leading a movement to transform how major food brands, universities, and even the medical community view the potato. He tells Stephanie Hoff that the Spud Lab has identified ke...

With low commodity prices and constricted global markets, farmers are under a lot of stress.  John Shutske, Professor and Extension Specialist: Safety Engineering & Agricultural Health, UW-Madison says it's important to remember your mental health resources.  He tells Kiley Allan that high levels of stress are being driven by chaotic trade policies and market unknowns, comp...

Stephanie Hoff and potato grower Andy Dierks from Coloma, discuss how Wisconsin potato growers are gaining a competitive edge through the Healthy Grown program, a research-based initiative that now grants automatic sustainability clearance for Walmart suppliers. The program helps with the transition from traditional pest management to modern regenerative practices. It also provides invaluable one-...

Stephanie Hoff and Randy Fleishauer of Plover River Farms in Stevens Point discuss why a processor "bailing out" creates a domino effect that impacts soil preparation, local agribusiness, and long-term farm viability. There are state-level protections and the DATCP Producer Security Council that serve as a final line of defense for the grower community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Host Ben Jarboe has a chat with Davion Freeman about each of their recent trips to Florida which included big bass and ocean fish. They also debate about the best baits for spring fishing and talk about the upcoming Wisconsin Fishing Expo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the agricultural landscape shifts away from international reliance, the American soybean industry is undergoing a domestic pivot driven by the rise of renewable fuels. American Soybean Association Chief Economist Scott Gerlt tells Stephanie Hoff about the intersection of D.C. policy and local production. He tackles everything from stalled EPA blending levels to the science-based defense of seed...

In this episode, Mike Michalski from Migratory Bird Management explains to Stephanie Hoff how high-tech AVEX lasers provide a humane, non-lethal alternative to traditional bird deterrents like propane cannons or predator calls. He breaks down the unique biology of avian vision that allows these lasers to be perceived as physical threats, effectively clearing dairy barns, vineyards, and rooftops wi...

What do halal and kosher really mean? It's a practice focused on specific ethnicities and religious practices. Pam Jahnke sits down with Abdullah Hussaini, a commodity broker with Equity Cooperative and a lamb producer. He says as the ethnic makeup of the U.S. changes, these niche markets are exploding with opportunity for lamb if you know the calendar and how to grow it. The Love Shack might be t...

John Umhoefer, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, discusses with Stephanie Hoff the upcoming World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, a biennial event featuring over 3,300 entries from 25 countries. The competition relies on a highly specialized group of international judges and a "cold chain" volunteer effort to evaluate everything from traditional cheddars to exo...

It's projected that nearly 18% of households in the U.S. have at least one individual using GLP1 drugs.  That's a trend that's expected to continue, and it has implications for production agriculture.  Consumers have cut consumption of many food items, and increased in others. Ben Jarboe finds out how food grade soybeans are handling the adjustments from Scott Sinner the V...

The small community of Blair, WI was rocked when a cheese plant that's been there for decades said it was changing.  Sarah Schmidt, communications coordinator for Associated Milk Producers Incorporated(AMPI) tells Jill Welke that the lure of the cottage cheese market became too much for their board of directors.  In March, some 86 employees will be laid off while they transition the awar...

Roughly 65% of U.S. farmers now have access to fewer dealerships than they did five years ago. For major brands like John Deere, over 80% of authorized locations are now part of large chains (owning 7+ stores).  That doesn't mean that they compromise on service of commitment to their communities. Johnson Tractor announced this week their acquisition of Farmers’ Implement, effective June...

Wisconsin dairy farmers are bringing the farm to the classroom with the launch of the Care for the Land Escape Room, a digital, game-based learning experience for high school students. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Board member Gary Kohn joins Stephanie Hoff to discuss how this turnkey resource allows students to explore regional sustainability practices across four different Wisconsin farms. Launchi...

A broad coalition of agribusinesses and hunger relief groups today urged Wisconsin lawmakers to address an urgent need for $69.2 million in FoodShare funding, in the wake of federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which shifted 75 percent of administrative costs to states. Wisconsin must take action now before the end of the legislative session or face the potentia...

For decades, dairy farmers have been the quiet leaders of sustainability, constantly fine-tuning their operations to be more efficient. But historically, that progress hasn't always translated into a line item on the balance sheet. Jennifer Block, director of value chain partnerships with Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, discusses EmPower+, a new, farmer-led initiative designed to turn on-farm data...

There’s a massive wave of capital investment, nearly $11 billion, flowing into dairy processing plants from Kansas to New York. But what does this mean for the person actually milking the cows? Leonard Polzin, Dairy Markets and Policy Outreach Specialist with the UW-Madison Division of Extension, discusses with Stephanie Hoff where that money is going, why our surging cheese exports are acti...

Soybeans have been a hot topic over the last year with tariffs, South America, and China. Even though it has been grim one soybean industry has been able to avoid most of these issues. Scott Sinner, the Vice President of Supply Chain with SB&B Foods, shares how the food-grade soybean industry is actually doing pretty well. He says they have never sold their beans to China and the recent increa...

Wheels are turning to administer the USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program.  Pam Jahnke's joined by Sandy Chalmers, state executive director of USDA's Farm Service Agency offices.  Chalmers says the staff is working on generating pre-filled paperwork that should land in producers mailboxes by the end of February.  Growers will simply need to certify the information is corr...

Each new year in farming brings new challenges to overcome, and Wyffels Hybrids works right alongside them to find solutions. Steve Quade, Regional Sales Manager for Northern IL and Southern WI at Wyffels Hybrids, tells Kiley Allan about the 16 new hybrids that will be coming to the Corn Belt for field evaluation this summer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After high school, students have to make the difficult decision to continue their education or to enter the workforce. After considering their options, two students were drawn to the hands-on opportunities at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Avery Drew and Stacy Copenhaver are first-year students and studying precision agronomy at the school. They're taking advantage of the hands-on educatio...

Even when times are particularly robust in farming, there's always an underlying level of stress. John Schutske is a Professor and Extension Specialist in Safety Engineering and Agricultural Health at UW-Madison. He sat down and told me what we're seeing right now when it comes to stress in ag communities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What started as a social worker’s curiosity and a medicinal gift sent home to a grandmother in Taiwan blossomed into a global agricultural powerhouse. Stephanie Hoff visits with Will Hsu, president of Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises, to uncover the incredible journey of the Hsu family. From his father’s "leap of faith" in 1974 to Will’s own transition from the corporate world bac...